Communications Manager - Campaigns & Projects

 The Communications Manager (Campaigns and Projects) will be a skilled communications professional with strong campaign and project management skills and a passion for driving the conversation about dementia.

They’ll be a proactive team player with excellent writing skills, experience of engaging across different channels, from PR to digital, and a track record of delivering integrated communications campaigns with impact.

Reporting to the Senior Communications Manager, the Communications Manager (Campaigns and Projects) will work collaboratively across the department and wider organisation to support the timely and effective delivery of large communications projects – including the charity’s flagship Think Brain Health public health campaign, and the biennial Dementia Attitudes Monitor survey. They will put strategic thinking into action to help identify key communications priority areas across the charity and facilitate the generation of creative cross-channel content to engage the public with these important issues.

This post holder will need to have extensive experience of planning and managing multiple projects – ideally public health campaigns and/or attitudinal insight work - and building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

 

Main duties and responsibilities of the role:

·         Work collaboratively across the charity to lead and coordinate communications activity around dementia prevention/risk reduction, including the charity’s Think Brain Health campaign, by developing and delivering digital content; testing and developing messaging; and overseeing paid media activity. 

·         Work with colleagues in Digital and Marketing depts to continue to develop, optimise and promote the Think Brain Health ‘check-in’, including refining onward email journeys, testing and developing paid media activity, and ensuring the check-in drives the most value for Alzheimer's Research UK.

·         Lead the development of the news section of Alzheimer's Research UK’s website, in collaboration with our Digital department, including planning content across the Communications teams, optimising user experience, ensuring effective allocation of paid media budget, and monitoring content performance.

·         Ensure our prevention/risk reduction activity reaches appropriate audiences, including underserved communities, working closely with our Dementia Community Champions and Information Services teams

·         Provide project management support to large-scale communications projects across the department, working collaboratively with fellow Communications Managers to support the smooth and timely delivery of ambitious projects including PR campaigns, video production, launches and a wide range of digital engagement projects.

·         Lead the design, planning and delivery of our biennial Dementia Attitudes Monitor, including identifying opportunities for subsequent communications activity, working with other Communications Managers as appropriate.

·         Monitor relevant media coverage; keep up to date with social, scientific and charitable sector issues which could benefit Alzheimer’s Research UK.

·         Line manager of the Communications Officer (Campaigns & Projects), setting goals, monitoring performance and providing effective support, constructive feedback and development opportunities as appropriate.

·         Maintain oversight of key areas of work carried out by the Communications Officer (Campaigns & Projects), managing workload and ensuring their time is appropriately managed to provide support where it’s most needed across the department.

·         Additional requirements in line with the role.

 

What we are looking for:

·         Knowledge of the core components of good communications campaigns, how to ensure and evaluate their success.

·         Knowledge of digital marketing theory and practice.

·         Knowledge of web content management and digital publishing

·         Excellent Project Management and organisational skills and an ability to work effectively and mindfully across teams of internal and external stakeholders to deliver shared objectives.

·         Experience of digital content strategy and management, and web publishing.

·         Excellent writing, sub-editing and proofing skills, with an eye for detail and accuracy.

·         Ability to creatively distil complex topics into engaging content.

·         Ability to communicate appropriately and sensitively with people affected by dementia.

·         Confidence working with computers; knowledge of Microsoft office packages and databases, good keyboard skills

·         A confident and friendly manner; would feel at ease representing the charity to a range of audiences

·         Working with independence, intelligence, drive and initiative

Additional Information:

Ways of working: As part of our Agile ways of working you will be required to work approximately 2 days a week from the office, which is subject to the requirements of the role and the business needs. Flexibility on where you work can be split between working from home and our office.

Roles that are classed as part of the Agile ways of working are not able to claim any costs for Mileage/Travel on Public Transport, Accommodation and/or Meals.  This includes when attending the office for various meetings/events.

Our Office: Our office is at 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Great Abington, Cambridge, CB21 6AD. 

Salary: Circa £44,000 per annum, plus benefits.

Please download the Vacancy Pack on our website for more information.

The closing date for applications is the 13th October 2024, with interviews likely to be held week commencing the 23rd October 2024. We would encourage you to submit your application at the earliest opportunity as the closing date may be brought forward at any time. Please indicate in your covering letter if you are unable to attend an interview on a certain date.

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.  We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.  Any offer of employment is however subject to you having the right to work in the UK.

As part of our commitment to be an inclusive employer and ensure fairness and consistency in selecting the best candidate for this role, your CV will be anonymised. Please however note we are unable to anonymise the application question which you are required to complete. When answering this question please remove any personal information, including your name. All questions answered as part of your application are also anonymised and not shared with the hiring panel. The hiring panel will only be made aware of your name and address once you are invited for an interview. Should you need any adjustments at either the application or interview stage, then please contact us via our website. 

How to apply: Please create an online account using our Online Recruitment Platform which can be accessed through our Job Vacancies page. You will be able to attach your CV to your application and track the status of your application.

About Alzheimer’s Research UK:

Alzheimer's Research UK is the UK's leading dementia research charity. Our mission is to accelerate progress towards a cure.  Today 1 in 2 people will be impacted by dementia, either through caring for a loved one, developing it themselves or tragically both. But there is hope. 

There has never been a more important and exciting time in dementia research. With promising new drugs in clinical trials that slow the progression of the diseases that cause it, and revolutionary new ways to diagnose them on the horizon, we are now at a tipping point. Working with the smartest minds globally and across the UK, with industry and academia, Alzheimer’s Research UK is uniquely placed to invest in the very best research identifying barriers to a cure and knocking them down so that there are more and better treatments for everyone with dementia. For the first time in history, we can see a future where people with dementia can get a swift and accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments that could slow or even stop their disease. We stand for everyone affected by dementia. We stand for a cure. 

In 2022, we were incredibly proud to be awarded a 3-star accreditation by Best Companies which recognises ‘World Class’ levels of workplace engagement and were also listed in the prestigious Best Companies lists:

• 48th in the 100 Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK.

• 19th in the 100 Best Companies to Work For in the East of England.

• 3rd in the 50 Best Companies to Work For in the Charity Sector.

In addition, we were also shortlisted for a special award recognising the work undertaken on reducing our environmental impact.

In 2021, we were awarded the HR Management award by The Charity Times for our Wellbeing initiatives throughout the pandemic.

In 2020, we demonstrated our commitment to changing the way we think and act about mental health in the workplace and signed the Time to Change Employer Pledge. 

ARUK really does look after its people, where you will be able to add value and make a difference. 

To view further details about working for us and the benefits we offer, please visit Alzheimer’s Research UK